With the Championship season almost at end, it’s time to reflect on the players that have surprised Newcastle fans the most this season.
After relegation to the Championship, following two transfer windows worth of awful signings, Newcastle United faced a big rebuilding job at the beginning of the season. The club moved quickly to secure popular manager Rafa Benitez to a long-term deal, and despite a rather shaky start, Newcastle United have had an excellent campaign. The club now looks all but set to join Brighton and Hove Albion as the second automatically promoted team, despite the best efforts of Reading and Huddersfield.
One thing that will have pleased Magpies supporters is the club’s business in the transfer windows this season. The club has done well to bring in players such as Dwight Gayle, Ciaran Clark and DeAndre Yedlin. The squad as a whole appears to have ditched the flaky reputation gained last season, and look now like a totally different side.
But which Newcastle United players have surprised fans the most? Is it the new signings? Or have younger players coming through who have been at the club for a number of years provided the biggest surprise? HITC Sport asked Newcastle United fans for their views and opinions…
Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles applauds the fans at the end of the match
“Matt Ritchie” was the name on many Newcastle United fans lips. The former Bournemouth winger surprised many when he took the move down to the Championship to join the Magpies, especially after such a good season with Bournemouth the season before. The winger has shown real quality in this division, playing a big part in Newcastle’s promotion push, scoring 11 goals and making seven assists.
“Isaac Hayden” was also proved to be a popular figure at St James’ Park. “He came in with not a lot behind him, but I think he’s been a brilliant asset.” Another supporter added, “No one knew about him, but he’s been better than any of our other central midfielders, other than Jonjo Shelvey.”
Another Newcastle United fan named Paul Dummett: “Defensively he’s been solid as a rock. Not many people rate him that much, and when he gets past the halfway line I do start to worry a little bit.”
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez shakes hands with Matt Ritchie after the game
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